Firearm Cartridge

ABSTRACT

A firearm cartridge system is provided and includes a case with a neck portion, body portion, shoulder portion, a base portion, and a indentation. The neck portion has a diameter between about 0.249 in to about 0.256 in. The body portion tapers from a first end having a diameter between about 0.465 in to about 0.475 to a second end having a diameter between about 0.449 in to about 0.458 in. The shoulder portion connects the body portion and neck portion and has a diameter between about 0.395 in to about 0.405 in. The base portion is positioned on the second end of the body portion and has diameter between about 0.463 in to about 0.477 in. The indentation joins the body portion and the base portion and includes a sidewall with angle between 30° to 42°.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/239,011, filed on Aug. 31, 2021.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a firearm cartridge, and more particularly, to a firearm cartridge for carbine rifles as an improved .22 caliber cartridge that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.

BACKGROUND

The current cartridge used for the AR15/M16 rifles is the .223 Remington (the civilian designation) or the 5.56 mm (×45 mm) NATO (the military designation). The overall performance of this cartridge has proven quite unsatisfactory, especially in combat applications, because of the small 224 caliber bullet used in the cartridge is ineffective against vehicles and other obstructions at long distance. In particular, the 224 caliber bullets tend to have poor terminal performance, where an insufficient amount of energy is transferred to the target upon impact, and they tend to lose energy rapidly after firing, especially when an obstruction is in front of the intended target. As a result, this known cartridge can be ineffective for certain purposes, including vehicle combat.

The .223 Remington cartridge is also substandard in that it produces a very small fast projectile which can result in extremely dangerous situations in a built up urban environment. The small weight or mass of the bullet makes it less effective and more prone to deflection on vehicles when engaged by police, especially when engaging thick windshield glass. Although there are a few “alternate” cartridges available that will function in the AR15/M16 rifle, they do not offer enough of an improvement over the existing .223 Remington cartridge chambering to justify the cost in switching over to them, mainly cost and availability of ammunition and magazines.

In contrast, the other choice for law enforcement agencies is the larger AR10 “style” rifle platform. For example, the AR15 is designed to shoot the .223/5.56 cartridge, wherein the AR10 shoots the .308. The AR15 and AR10 are almost identical in design and style. The rifles are made by various companies that fire the .308 Winchester cartridge. The .308 Winchester is a powerful cartridge and offers a substantial improvement over the much smaller .223 Remington chambering. Most sniper rifles are chambered in the .308 Winchester and are bolt action guns, which do not allow for quick follow up shots if needed. While this heavier cartridge (as well as the 12 GA., .300 AAC, 30-06, .45ACP) are excellent at penetrating obstacles, they are only found to be effective at shorter distances, such as 10 to 50 feet.

The .223 Remington and .308 Winchester represent two extremes of cartridges used in urban combat setting. While the .223 Remington does not provide enough performance or power, the .308 Winchester provides too much or excessive power.

It is desirable to send projectiles at higher velocities without exceeding the standard chamber pressure operational parameters of regular modern rifle frame designs. Therefore, there is a need for a rifle cartridge that is designed for greater penetration at longer distances, and capable of working with standard M16/AR15/AR10 rifle platforms. As the foregoing illustrates, the invention provides a higher performance cartridge for M16/AR15/AR10 and similar rifles.

SUMMARY

The present invention has optimized the powder capacity to chamber pressure ratio by having the optimal case geometry and shoulder angle in relation to projectile weight and caliber ratio, thus giving this cartridge case the ability of attaining velocities that significantly exceed those of the prior art while achieving higher external ballistics results. A firearm cartridge system is provide and includes a case with a neck portion, body portion, shoulder portion, a base portion, and a indentation. The neck portion has a diameter between about 0.249 in to about 0.256 in. The body portion tapers from a first end having a diameter between about 0.465 in to about 0.475 to a second end having a diameter between about 0.449 in to about 0.458 in. The shoulder portion connects the body portion and neck portion and has a diameter between about 0.395 in to about 0.405 in. The base portion is positioned on the second end of the body portion and has diameter between about 0.463 in to about 0.477 in. The indentation joins the body portion and the base portion and includes a sidewall with angle between 30° to 42°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the present invention is described in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a template for a cartridge and rifle barrel for an AR15/M16 rifle known to the art;

FIG. 2 illustrates a template for a cartridge and rifle barrel for an AR10 rifle known to the art;

FIG. 3A illustrates dimensions for a cartridge according to the invention that is intended for use with a AR10/AR15 rifle;

FIG. 3B illustrates a cartridge according to the invention that is intended for use with a AR10/AR15 rifle;

FIG. 4A illustrates dimensions for a rifle barrel according to the invention that is intended for use with a AR10/AR15 rifle; and

FIG. 4B illustrates a rifle barrel according to the invention that is intended for use with a AR10/AR15 rifle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure includes a rifle cartridge 1 according to the invention. A cartridge is a type of ammunition packaging a projectile (e.g., bullet, shots, among others), a propellant substance (e.g., smokeless powder, black powder, among others), and a primer within a case (e.g., metallic, paper, plastic) that is made to fit within a barrel chamber of a firearm.

FIG. 1 illustrates a known center fire rifle cartridge designated “.223 Remington”. This is a known cartridge having standard casing and bullet dimensions most commonly used with the M16/AR 15 rifle platform.

FIG. 2 illustrates a known center fire rifle cartridge designated “.308 Winchester”. This is a known cartridge having standard casing and bullet dimensions most commonly used with the M16/AR15/AR10 rifle platform.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a firearm cartridge 10 according to the invention is provided and distinctive of the known cartridges illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 .

In an exemplary embodiment, the firearm cartridge 10 includes a case having a neck portion 12, a body portion 14, and a base portion 20. In an example, the neck portion 12 can include a taper, wherein the neck portion expands from a neck first end to a neck second end, wherein the neck second end is adjacent to a shoulder portion 16.

The shoulder portion 16 joins the neck portion 12 to the body portion 14, wherein the shoulder portion 16 widens the diameter of the case. In an exemplary embodiment, the shoulder portion 16 can have a diameter of 0.400 in (10.16 mm)+/−1.5%. In another embodiment, the shoulder portion 16 can have a diameter of 0.400 in (10.16 mm)+/−1%. In another embodiment, the shoulder portion 16 can have a diameter of 0.400 in (10.16 mm)+/−0.5%. In another embodiment, the shoulder portion 16 can have a diameter in the range of 0.399 in to 0.401 in.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge 10 can have a case length of 2.29 in (58.166 mm−0.51)+/−1% (i.e. 020 in).

The body portion 14 can include a taper in diameter. In an exemplary embodiment, the body first end of the body portion of the case can have a diameter of 0.4703 in (11.946 mm)+/−1% to a body second end which can have a diameter of 0.4540 in (11.532 mm)+/−1%. In another embodiment, the body first end of the body portion of the case can have a diameter of 0.4703 in (11.946 mm)+/−1.5%. In another embodiment, the body first end of the body portion of the case can have a diameter of 0.4703 in (11.946 mm)+/−0.5%. In another embodiment, the body first end of the body portion of the case can have a diameter in the range of 0.466 in to 0.474 in, 0.468 in to 0.472 in.

In another embodiment, the body second end can have a diameter of 0.4540 in (11.532 mm)+/−1.5%. In another embodiment, the body second end can have a diameter of 0.4540 in (11.532 mm)+/−0.5%. In another embodiment, the body second end can have a diameter in the range of 0.450 in to 0.4570 in, 0.4510 in to 0.4550 in. As such, the body portion 14 of the case slightly tapers from the base 20 of the case to the first end of the case body.

In an example, the case can include a base diameter substantially similar to a base diameter of the .308 Winchester or the 7.62 NATO (7.62×51 mm).

In an example, the cartridge is a rimless, bottleneck. An exemplary bullet diameter can be 0.2245 in (5.702 mm)+/−1.5%, the neck diameter can be 0.253 in (6.43 mm)+/−1.5%, and the base diameter can be 0.4703 in (11.946 mm)+/−1.5%. In another embodiment, the bullet diameter can be 0.2245 in (5.702 mm)+/−1%. In another embodiment, the bullet diameter can be 0.2245 in (5.702 mm)+/−0.5%. In another embodiment, the neck diameter can be 0.253 in (6.43 mm)+/−1%. In another embodiment, the neck diameter can be 0.253 in (6.43 mm)+/−0.5%. In another embodiment, the neck diameter can have a diameter range of 0.250 in to 0.2550 in, 0.2520 in to 0.2540 in. In another embodiment, the base diameter can be 0.4703 in (11.946 mm)+/−1%. In another embodiment, the base diameter can be 0.4703 in (11.946 mm)+/−0.5%. In another embodiment, the base diameter can have a diameter range of 0.4650 in to 0.4760 in, 0.4675 in to 0.4720 in, 0.4690 in to 0.4710 in. In the exemplary embodiment, the length of the case can be 2.2885 in (58.47932 mm)+/−1.5%. In another embodiment, the length of the case can be 2.2885 in (58.47932 mm)+/−1%. In another embodiment, the length of the case can be 2.2885 in (58.47932 mm)+/−0.5%. In another embodiment, the length of the case can have a length range of 2.265 in to 2.295 in, 2.27 in to 2.29 in. The maximum average pressure for the cartridge can be 62,000 psi.

In an example, the base portion 20 of the case body can connect to the body portion 14 via an indentation 18. The indentation 18 can be at an angle between 36°+/−6°, wherein the indentation angle is measured from a longitudinal axis of the case body. In another embodiment, the indentation 18 can be at an angle between 33° to 37°.

In an example, the rifle cartridge includes a brass case and a lead and copper bullet. The system can include a primer, such as a cupped piece of tin, that explodes when it is struck and smokeless powder that burns at different rates depending on which powder is chosen. In the exemplary embodiment, gun powder is implemented for the system. The gun powder can have a grain weight range of 35 grain to 60 grain, 40 grain to 55 grain and 49 grain to 53 grain. The case is commonly made of brass because it is resistant to corrosion. The brass case head can be work-hardened to withstand the high pressures of cartridges, and allow for manipulation via extraction and ejection without tearing the metal.

In an example, the cartridge can be used with any appropriate bullet. In an exemplary embodiment, a bullet according to the invention can weigh in a range between 55-110 grain. Specifically, the bullet can weigh between 70 g to 80 g. The maximum cup pressure can be 52,000 psi.

The present disclosure focuses on the use of the cartridge system using an AR15/M16/AR10 platform owing to the popularity with military, law enforcement, and hunters. However, the present cartridge system can be used in any legally made rifle or pistol that has a barrel chambered for the present cartridge, e.g., an AR10 rifle. The present cartridge can work in any configuration such as a bolt action, auto-loading, lever action, a hinged single shot, or even a revolver.

The cartridge system can be used with a modified barrel 40, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. A barrel can be modified or manufactured using the shown dimensions. In the exemplary embodiment, a freebore length is 0.025 in (0.635 mm). In another embodiment, the freebore length can have a minimum length of 0.010 in (0.254 mm). In another embodiment, a freebore length can have a maximum length of 0.075 in (1.905 mm)+95%. In another embodiment, the freebore length can have a maximum length of 0.075 in (1.905 mm)+100%. In another embodiment, the freebore length can have a maximum length of 0.075 in (1.905 mm)+105%.

The present cartridge system can be used in a small light weight rifle that can be maneuvered in tight places (e.g., cars) for both short and long range shots that would normally require a larger, heavier rifle and larger, heavier ammunition. As a result, only one rifle is necessary, instead of two separate rifles, one for short range and one for long range. For example, conventionally, one would need a .308 caliber rifle for long range shots that require an AR10 platform, which is much heavier and has more recoil. A second rifle is required conventionally with a pistol length barrel and subsonic loads for short range situations, which is why the 300 Blackout was developed. With the present system, one can use a single rifle that is sufficient to penetrate obstacles in front of an intended target.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. For example, various embodiments of the systems and methods may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A firearm cartridge system comprising: a case having: a neck portion diameter between about 0.249 in to about 0.256 in; a body portion tapering from a first end having a diameter between about 0.465 in to about 0.475 to a second end having a diameter between about 0.449 in to about 0.458 in; a shoulder portion connecting the body portion and neck portion and having a diameter between about 0.395 in to about 0.405 in; a base portion positioned on the second end of the body portion and having diameter between about 0.463 in to about 0.477 in; and an indentation joining the body portion and the base portion, the indentation having sidewall with angle between 30° to 42°.
 2. The firearm cartridge system of claim 1, wherein the case has a length between about 2.2542 in to about 2.3228 in.
 3. The firearm cartridge system of claim 2, wherein the case has a length between about 2.2656 in to about 2.3114 in.
 4. The firearm cartridge system of claim 3, wherein the case has a length between about 2.2771 in to about 2.2999 in.
 5. The firearm cartridge system of claim 4, wherein the case has a length of about 2.2885 in.
 6. The firearm cartridge system of claim 5, wherein the neck portion has a diameter between about 0.2505 in to about 0.2555 in.
 7. The firearm cartridge system of claim 6, wherein the neck portion has a diameter between about 0.2517 in to about 0.2543 in.
 8. The firearm cartridge system of claim 7, wherein the neck portion has a diameter of about 0.253 in.
 9. The firearm cartridge system of claim 8, wherein the first end has a diameter between about 0.4632 in to about 0.4774 in.
 10. The firearm cartridge system of claim 9, wherein the first end has a diameter between about 0.4679 in to 0.4727 in.
 11. The firearm cartridge system of claim 10, wherein the first end has a diameter of about 0.4703 in.
 12. The firearm cartridge system of claim 11, wherein the second end has diameter between about 0.4472 in to about 0.4608 in.
 13. The firearm cartridge system of claim 12, wherein the second end has a diameter between about 0.4517 in to about 0.4563 in.
 14. The firearm cartridge system of claim 13, wherein the second end has a diameter of about 0.4540 in.
 15. The firearm cartridge system of claim 14, wherein the shoulder portion has a diameter between about 0.396 in to about 0.404 in.
 16. The firearm cartridge system of claim 15, wherein the shoulder portion has a diameter between about 0.398 in to about 0.402 in.
 17. The firearm cartridge system of claim 16, wherein the shoulder portion has a diameter about 0.400 in.
 18. The firearm cartridge system of claim 16, wherein the base portion has a diameter between about 0.4656 in to about 0.475 in.
 19. The firearm cartridge system of claim 17, wherein the base portion has a diameter between about 0.4679 in to about 0.4727 in.
 20. The firearm cartridge system of claim 18, wherein the base portion has a diameter about 0.4703 in.
 21. The firearm cartridge system of claim 19, wherein the indentation can have a angling between about 33° to 37° measured from the longitudinal axis of the body portion.
 22. The firearm cartridge system of claim 20, wherein the indentation can have an angle of about 36° measured from the longitudinal axis of the body portion.
 23. A firearm ammunition comprising: a case having: a neck portion diameter between about 0.249 in to about 0.256 in; a body portion tapering from a first end having a diameter between about 0.465 in to about 0.475 to a second end having a diameter between about 0.449 in to about 0.458 in; a shoulder portion connecting the body portion and neck portion and having a diameter between about 0.395 in to about 0.405 in; a base portion positioned on the second end of the body portion and having diameter between about 0.463 in to about 0.477 in; and an indentation joining the body portion and the base portion, the indentation having sidewall with angle between 30° to 42°; a powder positioned in the body portion and having a grain weight between about 35 grain to about 60 grain; and a bullet firm fit in the neck portion and having a diameter between about 0.221 in to about 0.227 in.
 24. The firearm ammunition of claim 22, wherein the maximum average pressure for the ammunition can be about 62,000 pound per square inch.
 25. The firearm ammunition of claim 23, wherein the bullet can have a weight between about 55 grain to about 110 grain.
 26. The firearm ammunition of claim 26, wherein the bullet has a diameter of about 0.2245 in. 